CRSC Question / Should I apply?

I

IBMWatson

Active Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Afternoon everyone and thank you for anyone that provides guidance, I greatly appreciate any assistance.

I first would like to put out that I understand that I can't apply for CRSC until after I am fully out of the Army and have closed this chapter of my life. I am almost complete with my MEB, just waiting to hit the transproc list and finish everything else up. I do understand that CRSC is for injuries incurred in combat, while supporting combat operations, while training for combat operations and so forth (of course all different lingo), but I feel I understand the jist of it.

My biggest question is and I have spoke to a few members of this forum already but they stated they were no CRSC experts. Regardless, my rating are DoD 50 P&T and VA 100 P&T. I know those numbers don't "really" factorish for this but in my VA ratings I was rated 70% for mental health and the results of those were related to direct combat operations. Now on my VA Rating that I received from my PEBLO with everything it list all the contributing factors as to why the rating and this and that but it doesn't say anything about combat related, it simply says "service-connected".

My PEBLO said that because I was found fit for my PTSD and all other BH issues, that I am not eligible to apply for CRSC benefits. However, when conducting my VA C&P exam it states in there several things about nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks and so on, all related to combat.

I am just a little confused on what I should or should do, or what I am eligible for or not. I don't believe in receiving anything that I haven't earned so if I am not eligible by all means, please let me know so I don't take something from another SM that truly deserves this.

Side Note - I was informed during my exit interview that I shouldn't ask for any changes with my VA Ratings because they can take the 100% P&T away fast.
 
Hello @IBMWatson

1. You said: "My PEBLO said that because I was found fit for my PTSD and all other BH issues, that I am not eligible to apply for CRSC benefits."
Comment: There are no restrictions on who can apply. Whether the application is approved is another matter.

2. You also said: "...so if I am not eligible by all means, please let me know so I don't take something from another SM that truly deserves this."
Comment: Your application and its approval or disapproval has absolutely zero impact on other retirees.

3. You mentioned: "...but they stated they were no CRSC experts."
Comment: I might have been one of those people. I also might have some knowledge about the computation of CRSC. On the other hand, I do not know of anyone here or on another more heavily populated board who can guarantee you will be approved for CRSC. The Presidents of the U.S.A., past and present cannot guarantee an approval.
Many members can tell you what they have observed in similar matters.

4. Opinion: You seem to be concerned whether your case is worthy. Why not just submit an application? If it is denied, it is not a black mark against you or anyone else.
I can offer that the tangible evidence you provide in your application will be the primary factor in the decision. If you have nothing that indicates your disabilities are combat related or fit one of the presumptive conditions, I don't think your application will be approved. I have never served on a CRSC board so my opinion on this issue is of as much value as that of a friendly hitchhiker you might encounter. Finally: When in doubt, apply. No one will think you are trying to get over.

Good luck,
Ron
 
Your PEBLO is mistaken. Being found unfit for a condition does not prohibit you from applying for CRSC.
 
IBMWatson said:
Afternoon everyone and thank you for anyone that provides guidance, I greatly appreciate any assistance.

I first would like to put out that I understand that I can't apply for CRSC until after I am fully out of the Army and have closed this chapter of my life. I am almost complete with my MEB, just waiting to hit the transproc list and finish everything else up. I do understand that CRSC is for injuries incurred in combat, while supporting combat operations, while training for combat operations and so forth (of course all different lingo), but I feel I understand the jist of it.

My biggest question is and I have spoke to a few members of this forum already but they stated they were no CRSC experts. Regardless, my rating are DoD 50 P&T and VA 100 P&T. I know those numbers don't "really" factorish for this but in my VA ratings I was rated 70% for mental health and the results of those were related to direct combat operations. Now on my VA Rating that I received from my PEBLO with everything it list all the contributing factors as to why the rating and this and that but it doesn't say anything about combat related, it simply says "service-connected".

My PEBLO said that because I was found fit for my PTSD and all other BH issues, that I am not eligible to apply for CRSC benefits. However, when conducting my VA C&P exam it states in there several things about nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks and so on, all related to combat.

I am just a little confused on what I should or should do, or what I am eligible for or not. I don't believe in receiving anything that I haven't earned so if I am not eligible by all means, please let me know so I don't take something from another SM that truly deserves this.

Side Note - I was informed during my exit interview that I shouldn't ask for any changes with my VA Ratings because they can take the 100% P&T away fast.
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I’m in the same boat. I was told CRSC only applies to DOD ratings. DOD ratings are taxed and if you were found unfit for PTSD then that would factor into your DOD rating, making that percentage tax free. VA ratings are tax free, and doesn’t matter if it happened in combat or not. That is what I was told, and hope this helps.
 
Xavirgsi1231 said:
I’m in the same boat. I was told CRSC only applies to DOD ratings. DOD ratings are taxed and if you were found unfit for PTSD then that would factor into your DOD rating, making that percentage tax free. VA ratings are tax free, and doesn’t matter if it happened in combat or not. That is what I was told, and hope this helps.
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Sir, some of the info you were given is wrong,

CRSC has nothing to do with DoD ratings EXCEPT approved CRSC replaces some or all of the waived/reduced/offset of retired pay dollar for dollar in the amount of VA compensation received. The same applies to retirees who do not have a DoD rating...such as myself.

No VA compensation = zero reduction/waiver of retired pay
Zero reduction/waiver of retired pay = no CRSC

CRSC is nontaxable as you stated. VA comp is nontaxable too.

One cannot receive VA compensation without agreeing to waive retired pay by the amount of VA comp. Opinion: It is never a good idea to refuse VA comp; if it does not eliminate retired pay in full, one gets to keep the residual/left over pay.

Ron
 
RonG said:
Sir, some of the info you were given is wrong,

CRSC has nothing to do with DoD ratings EXCEPT approved CRSC replaces some or all of the waived/reduced/offset of retired pay dollar for dollar in the amount of VA compensation received. The same applies to retirees who do not have a DoD rating...such as myself.

No VA compensation = zero reduction/waiver of retired pay
Zero reduction/waiver of retired pay = no CRSC

CRSC is nontaxable as you stated. VA comp is nontaxable too.

One cannot receive VA compensation without agreeing to waive retired pay by the amount of VA comp. Opinion: It is never a good idea to refuse VA comp; if it does not eliminate retired pay in full, one gets to keep the residual/left over pay.

Ron
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I’ve only been in 7 years and was told CRSC would only apply to DOD ratings. I’ll have to research it and thanks for pointing it out to me. I’m not sure what VA compensation I would be able to receive.
 
Hello @Xavirgsi1231

Is your seven years all active duty? If not, what is your active duty equivalent"

Here is a helpful CRSC info page: A Supplement to CRSC Information--Also See Update at Bottom of this Page<--LINK

CRSC does NOT apply only to DoD rated conditions. It does apply to VA rated conditions that are considered combat related. As I mentioned earlier, there are thousands of CRSC recipients who are retired but do not have a DoD rating because they are not medically retired. I am in that category.

Your CRSC would likely be:
7 yrs AD (I assume it was all AD) x 2.5% = 17.5% longevity multiplier
Average high three base pay x 17.5% = longevity portion of retired pay and CRSC unless the DoD approved CRSC percentage results in a lesser amount.

Notes: Your multiplier will not be 17.5% if the 7 years are not active duty. Active duty equivalent will be used instead.
Average high three: total of the highest 36 months of pay divided by 36.

Ron
 
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Xavirgsi1231 said:
I’ve only been in 7 years and was told CRSC would only apply to DOD ratings. I’ll have to research it and thanks for pointing it out to me. I’m not sure what VA compensation I would be able to receive.
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I think the misunderstanding is related to the fact medical retirees receive retired pay based on their DoD ratings (unless they qualify for a higher rate due to the longevity multiplier).
That would be a common view I suspect in PEB-world.

Technically and irrespective of DoD disability rating or longevity rating for regular retirees, VA compensation reduces the amount of retired pay received and CRSC replaces some or all of it. A discussion of CRDP would be irrelevant here since you do not qualify.

I think a large group of former members believe CRSC is paid only to disability retirees; that is an incorrect position on the matter.

Ron
 
Submitted 24 conditions for consideration on 23rd of August 2021. Received a rating decision on the 30th August, 90% I was not satisfied with the outcome because they have skipped 9 conditions from the total number of claimed conditions.
I sent the 9 claims back to them for the third time and dropped a nice complaint and now I am waiting for them to get back to me so that I can speak to their supervisor about this matter,
Wouldn’t back up until I get my
 
I would apply for CRSC. To make a stronger case I would get the highest ranking person you are still in contact with that knows what your duties were overseas and knows how you may have been impacted by things that happened over there write a Memo stating all of that. I can tell you it is not based only on DOD ratings. Example is I was trying my best to stay in service because I was close to 20 years so I did some stupid things and downplayed my conditions trying to stay "fit" for duty. That impacted my DOD ratings a little. The big one I had to do was get PTSD removed as a DOD condition; which I eventually did; however I still got found unfit and they bumped the PTSD down to Anxiety and moved me out with a DOD rating of 80% based on that and other conditions. The PTSD was the only combat related condition at the time so that removed it. After separation I was able to fix that issue with the VA and get PTSD put back on the file which was combat related. So it is only on my VA side.

I applied for CRSC and was denied. They simply said that based on my records at retirement it did not appear to be combat related. I got my previous COL to write me a memo because he had first hand knowledge of my incidents and duties. I submitted that to CRSC and within a month I was approved based on my VA PTSD rating. Nothing to do with DOD.

CRSC helps a LOT pay wise since you can't dual draw without 20 years of service and I was just shy of that.

Something to keep an eye on right now is Congress.gov H.R. 1282 Major Richard Star Act (117th Congress) that is moving through the system. If this is approved basically if you currently receive or qualify for CRSC they are looking to allow you to have concurrent receipt of both your DOD retirement and VA Compensation. That would remove CRSC but would replace it with your full DOD Retirement amount.

Hope this helps! I have a podcast I started on Spotify that breaks down some very basics and one I posted was about concurrent receipt and CRSC and the HR bill. Warrior Research Society is the podcast. If it helps you at all let me know and if you think I should add more to it let me know. Audio quality is crap but I will get better equipment if I see interest. PEBForum , Joe Rogan, Dr. Mark Gordon, Warrior Poet Society and several others helped me in my journey so hoping I can do the same for other veterans when I can.
 
Side Note: NEVER be ashamed of applying for benefits you deserve. I had a hard time with it at first also but you deserve and are in entitled to benefits so you should apply for them.
 
cschultz1978 said:
I would apply for CRSC. To make a stronger case I would get the highest ranking person you are still in contact with that knows what your duties were overseas and knows how you may have been impacted by things that happened over there write a Memo stating all of that. I can tell you it is not based only on DOD ratings. Example is I was trying my best to stay in service because I was close to 20 years so I did some stupid things and downplayed my conditions trying to stay "fit" for duty. That impacted my DOD ratings a little. The big one I had to do was get PTSD removed as a DOD condition; which I eventually did; however I still got found unfit and they bumped the PTSD down to Anxiety and moved me out with a DOD rating of 80% based on that and other conditions. The PTSD was the only combat related condition at the time so that removed it. After separation I was able to fix that issue with the VA and get PTSD put back on the file which was combat related. So it is only on my VA side.

I applied for CRSC and was denied. They simply said that based on my records at retirement it did not appear to be combat related. I got my previous COL to write me a memo because he had first hand knowledge of my incidents and duties. I submitted that to CRSC and within a month I was approved based on my VA PTSD rating. Nothing to do with DOD.

CRSC helps a LOT pay wise since you can't dual draw without 20 years of service and I was just shy of that.

Something to keep an eye on right now is Congress.gov H.R. 1282 Major Richard Star Act (117th Congress) that is moving through the system. If this is approved basically if you currently receive or qualify for CRSC they are looking to allow you to have concurrent receipt of both your DOD retirement and VA Compensation. That would remove CRSC but would replace it with your full DOD Retirement amount.

Hope this helps! I have a podcast I started on Spotify that breaks down some very basics and one I posted was about concurrent receipt and CRSC and the HR bill. Warrior Research Society is the podcast. If it helps you at all let me know and if you think I should add more to it let me know. Audio quality is crap but I will get better equipment if I see interest. PEBForum , Joe Rogan, Dr. Mark Gordon, Warrior Poet Society and several others helped me in my journey so hoping I can do the same for other veterans when I can.
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This will be short since I am using my cell phone temporarily. As an old finance guy when in the Army for 23 years active and 2 in RC I want to say your post on CRSC is one of the best I have seen regarding CRSC applications. Thank you, Ron
 
Submitted 24 conditions for consideration on 23rd of August 2021. Received a rating decision on the 30th August, 90% I was not satisfied with the outcome because they have skipped 9 conditions from the total number of claimed conditions.
I sent the 9 claims back to them for the third time and dropped a nice complaint and now I am waiting for them to get back to me so that I can speak to their supervisor about this matter,
Wouldn’t back up until I get my
cschultz1978 said:
I would apply for CRSC. To make a stronger case I would get the highest ranking person you are still in contact with that knows what your duties were overseas and knows how you may have been impacted by things that happened over there write a Memo stating all of that. I can tell you it is not based only on DOD ratings. Example is I was trying my best to stay in service because I was close to 20 years so I did some stupid things and downplayed my conditions trying to stay "fit" for duty. That impacted my DOD ratings a little. The big one I had to do was get PTSD removed as a DOD condition; which I eventually did; however I still got found unfit and they bumped the PTSD down to Anxiety and moved me out with a DOD rating of 80% based on that and other conditions. The PTSD was the only combat related condition at the time so that removed it. After separation I was able to fix that issue with the VA and get PTSD put back on the file which was combat related. So it is only on my VA side.

I applied for CRSC and was denied. They simply said that based on my records at retirement it did not appear to be combat related. I got my previous COL to write me a memo because he had first hand knowledge of my incidents and duties. I submitted that to CRSC and within a month I was approved based on my VA PTSD rating. Nothing to do with DOD.

CRSC helps a LOT pay wise since you can't dual draw without 20 years of service and I was just shy of that.

Something to keep an eye on right now is Congress.gov H.R. 1282 Major Richard Star Act (117th Congress) that is moving through the system. If this is approved basically if you currently receive or qualify for CRSC they are looking to allow you to have concurrent receipt of both your DOD retirement and VA Compensation. That would remove CRSC but would replace it with your full DOD Retirement amount.

Hope this helps! I have a podcast I started on Spotify that breaks down some very basics and one I posted was about concurrent receipt and CRSC and the HR bill. Warrior Research Society is the podcast. If it helps you at all let me know and if you think I should add more to it let me know. Audio quality is crap but I will get better equipment if I see interest. PEBForum , Joe Rogan, Dr. Mark Gordon, Warrior Poet Society and several others helped me in my journey so hoping I can do the same for other veterans when I can.
Click to expand...
The first time I submitted my package I received the decision within a week and got 90and then I appealed it and I am now in the process to get that corrected,

They will not go through the appealing process, it will be fixed internally based on what the program manager said to me,

I know myself that I can get the hundred, I have enough document showing that I have multiple injuries and most of it are combat related.

The CRSC program manager called me a few days ago telling me that I should be happy with what I have, I replied and said that I have to be on 100, that’s when I’ll be happy.

I have submitted 24 total claims, they went over 15 and skipped 9. Although, I have sent the package three times already and yesterday I sent it for the fourth time. I wouldn’t back up until I make them correct this injustice.
 
jobey said:
*selected text*

The first time I submitted my package I received the decision within a week and got 90and then I appealed it and I am now in the process to get that corrected,
They will not go through the appealing process, it will be fixed internally based on what the program manager said to me,

I know myself that I can get the hundred, I have enough document showing that I have multiple injuries and most of it are combat related.

The CRSC program manager called me a few days ago telling me that I should be happy with what I have, I replied and said that I have to be on 100, that’s when I’ll be happy.

I have submitted 24 total claims, they went over 15 and skipped 9. Although, I have sent the package three times already and yesterday I sent it for the fourth time. I wouldn’t back up until I make them correct this injustice.
Click to expand...
Hello @jobey

Reference: Our discussion via PM

1. Based on the info I received from you, your CRSC maxs out with the longevity computation in your case.

2. Special Rules for Chapter 61 Disability Retirees: According to law, members retired for disability under Chapter 61 of title 10 United States Code must have the CRSC entitlement limited to an amount that when combined with any military retired pay remaining after offset for VA disability compensation will not exceed the retired pay they would otherwise be entitled to for retirement computed for years of service (i.e., 2 1/2 percent x active duty or active duty equivalent years of service x high three average base pay). Note: 2 percent is used for those enrolled in the Blended Retirement Program.

3. Even if there was a 500% for CRSC and you received that from the CRSC board, it would not increase your CRSC by even $1.00 .

4. You will receive COLA increases as they occur.

5. Although the computation is more complex than what I will write here, generally a CH 61 retiree with less than 20 years AD will receive the LESSER of
a. The longevity portion of retired pay (see Special Rules at item 2).
OR
b. The dollar amount associated with the approved CRSC percentage approved by your service. The amounts are found in the VA compensation tables.

Good luck,
Ron
 
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